Americas (English Edition)

US Virgin Island's Hebrew Congregation of St. Thomas The Hebrew Congregration of St. Thomas is one of the oldest known synagogues in the Western Hemisphere. Already, officials from the US Virgin Islands expect thousands of tourists to grace the island to celebrate the synagogue's bicentennial celebration in 1996.

Anchoring progress in tradition.

St. Vincent and the Grenadines The allure of St. Vincent and the Grenadines can be attributed to its impressive balck-sand beaches and mountainous tropical wilderness. Although gaining independence in 1979 from Great Britain, the area has remained a part of the British Commonwealth.

Dance on the path of life.

Taller Coreografico Mexico's Taller Coreografico has established itself as a premier ballet company that has gained popularity and acceptance from people of all walks of life. For almost 25 years, the Taller has mesmerized audiences with its unique and challenging interpretation of ballet.

Disaster in Darien.

Panama Punta Escoces is a remote island along Panama's southeastern coast which had been the site of one of the most tragic episodes in the colonization of the Americas. The misadventure concerned the plight of the Darien colony, a group of Scottish colonists led by William Paterson, the founder of the Bank of England.

Evolving summits of the Americas.

Alliance for Progress The Alliance for Progress established in Apr. 1961 marked a renewed commitment on the part of the US to establish closer economic links with Latin America. In Dec. 1994, over 34 nations comprising the Western Hemisphere are scheduled to meet in the Summit of the Americas in Miami, FL, to discuss pressing issues on free trade and representative democracy.

Paying the price of ecotourism; two pioneer biological reserves face the challenges brought by a recent boom in tourism.

Ecuador's Galapagos Islands and Costa Rica's Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve The influx of tourists has brought a considerable strain on the environmental well being of Ecuador's Galapagos Islands and Costa Rica's Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve. Residents and conservationists have conducted ecotourism activities as bold conservation measures towards saving the environment.

Singing the border news.

Mexican corrido The Mexican corrido is a narrative ballad that has remained popular among Mexicans since the mid-nineteenth century. The first corridos recorded the darkest days of Mexico's revolutionary history.

The inauguration of a new era.

Organization of American States The Organization of American States (OAS) has expanded its agenda to include issues and concerns affecting environmental protection and the promotion of human rights. The agenda was underscored by Cesar Gaviria, the new secretary of the OAS.

The intuitive lens of Lisl Steiner.

Photojournalist Lisl Steiner Photojournalist Lisl Steiner's photo essay 'Children of the Americas' is a manifestation of her commitment to voice out the promise and plight of children throughout the Western Hemisphere. Steiner's works have appeared in numerous publications like Time, Newsweek and National Geographic.

The manatee's hidden haven.

Wildlife enthusiasts are taking steps at protecting the manatee habitat along Trinidad and Tobago's southeast coast. Through a joint effort between the government and community groups, a manatee conservation and observation station has been constructed along the Manzanilla stretch, the first in Trinidad and Tobago.

Thirty-five years defending human rights.

Inter-American Commission on Human Rights The Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) was established in 1959 as an expression of commitment by American states to preserve and respect the ideals of individual human rights. The special body was one of a number of pioneering efforts undertaken by the Organization of American States.

Trailing footprints from the past.

Archaeologist Alberto Rex Gonzalez The reputation of archaeologist Alberto Rex Gonzalez has been closely associated with the Tafi culture found in Tucuman Province along the Southern Cone. Among the important discoveries were cermonial ax blades, pots and stone implements.